FAQs

Classes & Training

Questions regarding classes that Home Front Freedom offers.

I see you are located in Carteret County, I live in Craven County. Will my Concealed Carry Certificate be valid in my county of residence?

Yes. The certificate that you take to your local Sheriff’s office will work in any of the 100 North Carolina counties. You will need to take it to the Sheriff of the county in which you reside (and your valid NC Drivers License/ID Card indicates you reside).

If I rent a handgun for your training, will I need anything else?

Handgun rentals include the handgun, spare magazines and a holster. You will still need to purchase a box of 50 rounds (usually .40 S&W, 9mm or .38 Special unless you make arrangements to rent something else). Of course a firm, suitable gun belt, so that you can utilize the holster is necessary.

It is supposed to rain the day of our class…Will we still have the class?

We sometimes use a range that has a covered shooting area. Besides that, a self-defense situation can happen in any kind of weather. Please bring suitable outdoor clothing for whatever elements we are supposed to have. No open toed shoes please.

What certifications will I get when I complete the Concealed Carry Handgun course?

You will earn both the North Carolina Concealed Carry Handgun (CCH) completion certificate necessary to present to the Sheriff’s department of your local county for your application, AND your NRA First Steps Pistol certification, Home Front Freedom Introductory Pistol Course certification, which is recognized as a suitable firearms safety course in several other states to count towards their concealed carry requirements.

*If you are renting a handgun, you will not need to bring a holster or magazines, please wear a sturdy belt.

If there is something here that you cannot get before class, be sure to let us know. Typically, we will be able to provide some items on an as needed basis.

Firearms Law

What does the law say?

I see you are located in Carteret County, I live in Craven County. Will my Concealed Carry Certificate be valid in my county of residence?

Yes. The certificate that you take to your local Sheriff’s office will work in any of the 100 North Carolina counties. You will need to take it to the Sheriff of the county in which you reside (and your valid NC Drivers License/ID Card indicates you reside).

Someone told me that to buy a handgun in NC, if I had a Concealed Carry Handgun Permit, that I still needed to get a Pistol Purchase Permit from my local Sheriff’s office. Is that true?

Absolutely NOT! The Concealed Carry Handgun Permit (CHP) works in place of the Pistol Purchase Permit (PPP) for the CHP holder. This is discussed in every one of our Concealed Carry Handgun classes. And yet we still have people who do not understand this. Once you have your CHP you will not need to buy PPPs from the Sheriff’s office to purchase a handgun again.

Are North Carolina law enforcement officers required to apply for concealed handgun permits to carry concealed handguns off duty?

Authorized law enforcement officers may carry concealed handguns statewide, off duty, provided that an officer does not carry a concealed weapon while consuming alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance, or while alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance remains in the officer’s body. Departmental policy and state law must be consulted as to areas an off duty officer would be prohibited from carrying a weapon.

Can out-of-state police officers carry concealed weapons in North Carolina while on duty?

Yes, if the officer meets all of the criteria set forth under the federal law known as the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (H.R.218) and is carrying valid identification as an officer.

Do my guns have to be registered with the sheriff or police department where I live?

Except as to the requirement to lawfully possess a machine gun under N.C.G.S. §14-409, North Carolina generally does not require other types of firearms to be registered with the sheriff or Police Department. The only type of “registration” requirement is that a purchaser or receiver of a pistol must first obtain a pistol permit, for each pistol, from the sheriff of the county in which he/she resides.

For purposes of carrying concealed weapons, does it make a difference if the carried weapon is unloaded?

No. North Carolina General Statute § 14-269 does not specify whether the weapon has to be loaded or unloaded. Rather, the location of the weapon is looked at to determine whether or not it is concealed.

How do I get a handgun purchase permit?

Pistol permits may be obtained from the sheriff where the purchaser or receiver resides. An application must be submitted to the sheriff by the individual who desires to obtain a pistol permit, and must satisfy the requirements of North Carolina law. These requirements are set out in our Concealed Carry Handgun class or our Legal Refresher sessions.

How long is my permit to purchase a handgun valid?

North Carolina law provides that permits are valid for a period of five (5) years.

How long must I be a resident of a North Carolina county before I am eligible to apply for a permit to purchase a pistol?

North Carolina law does not specifically address how long an individual must reside in a county prior to making application for a pistol permit. However, it is not uncommon for a sheriff’s department to establish such a policy with a minimum residency requirement.

How many pistol permits can I get at any one time?

State law sets no limit on the number of permits which can be obtained at any one given time.

How old must I be to purchase a handgun, shotgun, or rifle?

To purchase a handgun from a federally licensed dealer, an individual must be 21 years of age or older. The age at which a person can purchase a shotgun or rifle form a licensed dealer is 18. Please note that although an 18, 19, or 20-year-old may be issued a pistol purchase permit they would not be able to purchase a handgun with it from a licensed firearms dealer.

If I buy a handgun from an individual whom I have known for a number of years and who does not have a criminal record, do I still need a permit?

Yes. North Carolina General Statute § 14-402 does not make any exception for the receipt or purchase of a handgun from a private individual as opposed to a firearms dealer. Therefore, a pistol purchase or North Carolina concealed carry permit is necessary before the transfer of any handgun can take place.

Is a fully functional small pistol or knife which is designed to fit into a belt buckle considered concealed in North Carolina?

Yes. Gun and knife belt buckles described above falsely give an impression of being ornamental in nature. As their nature and purpose is concealed and misleading, coupled with the weapons’ immediate and ready accessibility to the wearer of such a belt buckle, they would be considered concealed.

Is it lawful to carry a weapon to a bar or similar establishment for purposes of protection?

As a general rule, no. North Carolina General Statutes generally forbid a person to carry a weapon into an assembly where an admission fee has been charged, or a place where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed. There is a limited exception for those in possession of a lawfully issued concealed handgun permit. However, even these permitees may not carry on such a premises if a notice has been posted prohibiting such carry and they may not consume any alcohol. A more detailed discussion of these areas are provided in our Concealed Carry Handgun class or our Legal Refresher session

Is the sheriff of the county where I reside the only person who can issue a permit to purchase a handgun?

Generally speaking, yes; however, North Carolina General Statute § 14-404 allows a non-resident of a county to obtain a permit to purchase a pistol but only for the purpose of collecting firearms.

May I carry a concealed weapon in North Carolina?

No. As a general rule, North Carolina law forbids a private citizens from carrying a concealed weapon, either on or about their person, while off their premises, unless they have a concealed handgun permit. This prohibition pertains not only to firearms, but also to any other deadly weapon. Sign up for our Concealed Carry Handgun class or our Legal Refresher session for a more detailed analysis of this complex area, to include transporting a firearm in a vehicle.

May I get a permit to carry a concealed weapon in North Carolina?

Yes. Certain qualified North Carolina residents can get a permit to carry concealed handguns under specific circumstances. North Carolina allows out-of-state concealed handgun permittees to carry concealed handguns pursuant to such permits in North Carolina. Please be aware that while carrying a handgun pursuant to such permit, qualified out-of-state permittees are held to the same standards as North Carolina permittees. Consequently, there are a number of areas where concealed handguns cannot be carried in North Carolina, regardless of the individual having a permit to carry a concealed weapon. A more detailed discussion of what areas prohibit the possession of a firearm is covered in our Concealed Carry Handgun classes.

May I possess firearms in state and federal parks?

A person with a valid concealed handgun permit may carry a concealed handgun on the grounds or waters of a park within North Carolina’s State Parks System as defined in G.S. § 113-44.9. Additionally, pursuant to G.S. § 14-269.4(5), a person may carry any firearm openly, or carry a handgun concealed with a valid permit, on any State-owned hunting or fishing reservation. Further, pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 2.4(h), a person may possess a concealed firearm within a national park area in accordance with the laws of the State in which the national park area is located, except as otherwise prohibited by federal law. Any person desiring to carry a firearm on any national park area should consult with the appropriate federal park service for additional guidelines on the possession of firearms.

When I redeem my pawned pistol, do I need to obtain a North Carolina state pistol permit before receiving my handgun?

No. North Carolina does not require the owner to have a state pistol permit prior to redeeming his or her pawned pistol. Federal law, however, would require a NICS inquiry or suitable alternative prior to redemption.